***IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PAY AT A LATER DATE, PLEASE USE THE PROMO CODE “INVOICE” TO COMPLETE REGISTRATION AND WE WILL SEND YOU AN INVOICE***

(by choosing the invoice option, you are agreeing to pay the full amount when you receive the invoice. NB: Unless you cancel your tickets 24hours before the training, you will be charged even if you do not attend.)

***IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PARTICIPATED IN THE GROUNDWATER SESSION PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THIS DESCRIPTION***

Growing Racial Equity in Northeast Ohio: Continued Awareness & Action

Groundwater and Phase 1 presented by the Racial Equity Institute

Since January 2017, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress has led a citywide effort to build an inclusive, interdisciplinary coalition of civic stakeholders, community development practitioners, and grassroots leaders committed to advancing Racial Equity & Inclusion. Throughout the Year of Awareness Building, more than 1300 concerned citizens from across the region have participated in either the half-day Groundwater Training, or the two-day Phase I Workshop presented by the Racial Equity Institute. These intensive introductions to historical, institutional and systemic racism challenge deeply-held assumptions, and reveal—with sobering clarity—the devastating impacts of persistent racial inequality on our nation’s most marginalized populations.

Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive; and all indications suggest that this paradigm shift has begun to gain traction. However, the Year of Awareness Building was simply a starting point for our continued efforts to embed Racial Equity & Inclusion as a central organizing principle of a holistic approach to community development. To truly accomplish our vision for Cleveland’s neighborhoods, we must ensure that all residents—especially historically disadvantaged members of the community—feel connected to the fabric of their neighborhoods; have equal access to opportunities; and are meaningfully engaged in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.

Yet there are no quick fixes for racial inequity. Changing the course of history will take time, persistence, creativity, and courage. Furthermore, we understand that this work must be pursued on multiple levels at once—both personally and professionally; institutionally and system-wide. As we uncover and/or create new opportunities to turn Awareness into Action, we will leverage the momentum achieved in 2017, to broaden and strengthen our coalition. Therefore, we are pleased to announce that the Racial Equity Institute will once again facilitate monthly Groundwater Training and Racial Equity Phase I Workshop sessions in 2018.

Through our continued efforts to deepen our understanding of our history, the outcomes of unequal systems, and the language needed to describe with specificity how systemic racism impacts every facet of American life (including our work), we move one step closer to creating a more equitable society.

For more information or questions, please contact the Racial Equity and Inclusion Team at REI@clevelandnp.org